By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
The Auxiliary of University Medical Center at Princeton is reinventing and rebranding itself.
A new name, Community Connection of Princeton HealthCare, a new mission and new logo were revealed at the group’s annual meeting Monday.
”The new mission of the organization would be to advance the mission of the entire Princeton HealthCare System through advocacy and funding,” said Marci Baumann, chair of the Leadership Council. “In the past we have focused on the hospital. Now we are to support the whole system, which includes not only the acute care hospital but also Behavioral Health, HomeCare and hospice. We are to be advocates for the Princeton HealthCare System.”
The organization is a group of volunteer fund-raisers for Princeton HealthCare.
The changes came about after of a survey of members and non-members in the community done by group.
”The auxiliary is viewed as an important community resource, but one that could be a bit more open to welcoming new members,” said Ms. Baumann. “Consistent with the findings of many other volunteer organizations, our surveys discovered that there are still people who are willing to volunteer to make a difference, especially if they can have some fun in the process, but these volunteers are more likely to get involved in short-term, or even one-shot kinds of projects rather than taking on long-term leadership roles.”
The name was changed because the survey revealed that people felt the name “auxiliary” was old-fashioned and not appropriate for a modern organization.
”In the beginning, I didn’t want to see it change, but we have to move on and make changes,” said LaVerne Hebert, a member of the auxiliary since 1959. “We have to come up with new ideas and new young people; us old-timers have to step back and say ‘you’re doing a great job,’ and they are.”
She enjoys the camaraderie and friendships she has gained through the organization. “We have people from all walks of life.
The name change will take some getting used to, though.
”We have so many people involved and reach so far,” she said. “We have to move on and let new people in and stand behind them.”
There will be a new leadership structure with an eight-member Leadership Council guiding the organization, instead of the former 20-member board.
”It was felt that a smaller leadership group would be more nimble and responsive to the membership as the needs of the organization evolved,” said Ms. Baumann.
”You have taken the first bold step in your new identity,” said Carol Norris-Smith, vice president of community development at PHCS. “You deserve a round of applause for having the courage to change. Thank you for all you do and you make a difference.”
Membership dues, which were $25, were eliminated. Dues supported the Edna M. Wilson Scholarship Fund, which are monetary awards for junior volunteers in high school.
”I am delighted to report that many individuals have made contributions to the scholarship fund, often in excess of the previous $25 basic membership fee, so we will be able to continue funding these valuable scholarships,” said Ms. Baumann.
A new web address was also launched, www.princetonhcs.org/community connection.
The organization has 108 members and has been supporting the hospital since 1952, when a president was elected. The organization began as a group for doctors’ wives in 1919, a group that ran the coffee shop and an in-house volunteer group. All three groups merged to form the auxiliary in the 1950s.
